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Environmental Response

Through its Environmental Response program, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is responsible for ensuring the cleanup of ship-sourced spills of oil and other pollutants into Canadian waters. This includes:

monitoring cleanup efforts by polluters; and

managing cleanup efforts when polluters are unknown, or unwilling or unable to respond to a marine pollution incident.

Canadian law holds polluters responsible for costs associated with cleaning up spills, including CCG’s costs for monitoring and/or managing a response effort.

Regional and area response plans are developed and provide helpful guidance to program personnel when responding to a spill. These plans are based on a National Response Plan framework. The CCG also maintains an inventory of oil spill response equipment.

Training and Exercises

The Environmental Response National Training Program develops spill-response courses for government, industry and the public. Exercises are conducted on an ongoing basis to continuously improve Canada’s response capabilities.

Partnerships

International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation

Canada signed the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990. The CCG provides support to other countries signatory to this convention, and can also request support from them when necessary.

North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum

Formed in 2007, the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum’s objective is to increase cooperation amongst member countries on matters related to maritime safety and security in the region.